Curriculum Overview

St Paul’s C.E. Primary School Curriculum 2016

Curriculum Overview

At St Paul’s we follow the requirement of the national curriculum 2014, in all subjects. This is a content based curriculum, where the expectation is that the children acquire factual knowledge and understanding as well as skills, especially in history, geography and science.

English

The English curriculum comprises of 3 sections, reading, writing and oracy. The content and coverage for each year group is laid out in detail in the National Curriculum Documentation.

Reading

The teaching of reading and fostering the love of reading are a main focus at St Paul’s

The early teaching of reading focuses heavily on the teaching of phonics to decode words. At St Paul’s we follow the Read Write Inc, pure sounds approach in phonics. Children will use phonic reading books to reinforce their learning. Please note children will not automatically progress to the next book and may be asked to reread a book to encourage fluency. However we will continue to use other reading strategies and reading books at St Paul’s.

Reading in Key Stage 1 will focus on the understanding of texts. This will include being able to answer literal questions about the text and children will start to explore what the author is trying to say (inference).

By the time they reach Key Stage 2 most children will be able to decode unknown texts and be able to answer questions relating to it. Teaching in Key Stage 2 focuses on developing the comprehension skills of inference and deduction, understanding authorial intent and why authors use particular words or phrases.

Throughout school we aim to inspire children with a variety of great novels and develop in them a lifelong love of reading for pleasure. There will also be a greater emphasis on the reading and reciting of classic and modern poetry.

Writing

The focus in writing is two dimensional. Firstly we need to equip our children with the tools to write, i.e. the knowledge and understanding of correct grammar, punctuation, spelling and handwriting. Secondly the ability to compose, structure and articulate their ideas both in writing and orally.

The content for the teaching of grammar, spelling and punctuation is statutory and is laid out in detail for each year group in the Appendices of the National Curriculum documentation. At St. Paul’s we have created our own Grammar and Punctuation Policies which outline in detail what is to be taught in each year group. These policies can be found on our website.

Oracy

Oracy is the art of being able to speak clearly and fluently with an increasing command of Standard English (correct grammar and punctuation). Children will be taught to listen attentively to both adults and their peers, ask relevant questions, justify their opinions, give well structured descriptions and explanations and be able to perform orally to an audience. Oracy will pervade all areas of the curriculum.

All staff will model good English and will actively encourage the children to do so.

Mathematics

The mathematics curriculum comprises 3 sections, number (counting, place value, addition, the 4 mathematical rules of subtraction, multiplication and division, fractions and measures); geometry (properties of shape, position and direction) and statistics (data handling). The content and coverage for each year group is laid out in detail in the National Curriculum Documentation.

At St. Paul’s we have high expectations of all children. In mathematics we aim to ensure that all children become fluent in the fundamentals of mathematics so that they develop a good understanding of mathematical concepts and are able to recall and apply their knowledge rapidly and accurately; that they are able to use this knowledge to reason, justify, argue or prove mathematical statements using the correct vocabulary and are able to solve problems by breaking them down into a series of simpler steps.

Please see the appendices for detailed coverage of each year group and for St Paul’s Calculation Progress Policy, which details the progression and strategies used for the teaching of the addition, subtraction, multiplication and division across school.

Science

The National Curriculum requirements for science are statutory. The curriculum content and coverage for each key stage is laid out in detail. The curriculum content has been subdivided into the three specific disciplines of science, Biology, Chemistry and Physics with the main emphasis for the Primary Curriculum being on Biology.

At St Paul’s the teaching of science will be based on key knowledge and concepts. Children will develop a good understanding of the nature, processes and methods of scientific enquiry. They will be taught to understand the uses and implications of science today and in the future; to use technical terminology and specific vocabulary in both written and oral presentation and to apply mathematical skills to science.

History

The National Curriculum requirements for history are statutory. The curriculum content and coverage for each key stage is laid out in detail. At St Paul’s we use PlanBee materials to support the planning, teaching and learning in history. These materials particularly support the delivery of content, and historical enquiry skills.

The purpose of teaching history is to give children a coherent knowledge and understanding of Britain’s past and that of the wider world. We aim to instill in children a knowledge and understand of the history of Britain from the earliest times to the present day; to appreciate how individual people have shaped this nation and how Britain has influenced and been influenced by the wider world; to know and understand significant aspects of the wider world; the history of ancient civilizations including the rise and fall of past non European societies. We aim to develop the children’s understanding of the historical concepts of continuity and change, cause and effect, similarity and difference, evidence and bias.

Geography

The National Curriculum requirements for geography are statutory; the curriculum content and coverage for each key stage is laid out in detail. At St Paul’s we use PlanBee materials to support the planning, teaching and learning in geography. These materials particularly support the delivery of content and geographical enquiry skills.

The purpose of Geography is to teach children the knowledge of different, peoples, places, resources, natural and human environments and an understanding of the earth’s key physical and human processes. It should deepen their understanding of the formation and use of landscapes and environments.

Art

All art and design technology topics are linked where possible, to history, geography and science and incorporate a comprehensive range of modern and traditional artists.

At KS1, children will learn to use a range of materials for design and make projects; experience a range of drawing, painting and sculpture techniques, incorporating colour, pattern, texture, line, form and space and will study the work of a range of artists and designers.

Art

At KS2, children will learn to develop and refine all the skills and techniques above; record first hand observations in a sketch book and learn to revisit and refine their own work.

Design technology

The skills of design technology will be taught in the context of designing and making products for a purpose to solve real life problems. One of the principles aims of the design technology curriculum is that children understand the principles of good nutrition and learn how to cook. Food technology will be taught across both key stages. The skills and content coverage for design technology are laid out in the National Curriculum.

KS1

Key Stage 1 children will learn the basic skills of cutting, shaping, joining and finishing, to design and make a product and they will start to develop the basic skills of evaluating their work. They will be taught the basic principles of nutrition, where food comes from and how to cook simple food.

KS2

Children in key Stage 2 will be taught to design for a purpose using annotated sketches and diagrams and to develop the use of a wide range of tools and equipment, materials and components. Children will develop the skills of evaluation and study how previous inventions and products have shaped today’s world. Over the course of KS2 they will develop the technical knowledge to be able to reinforce structures, use mechanical and electrical systems and use ICT to program, monitor and control. The children will develop their knowledge of nutrition, cooking techniques and learn about the seasonality of certain foods.

PE

At St. Paul’s we aim to deliver high quality physical education to all our children to support physical fitness and promote health. We encourage all children to engage in healthy lifestyles; to choose from a wide variety of sporting activities; to strive to improve their personal performance and to engage in a range of competitive sports. We have an excellent sport coach who both teaches P.E lessons and after school clubs.

KS1

In Key Stage 1 children will learn the basic movements of running, jumping throwing and catching to extend their agility, balance and coordination. They will play team games and develop the basic skills of attack and defence. The children will learn to sequence simple movement patterns in dance.

KS2

The children will further develop and refine the skills learned in Key Stage 1 to enable them to take part in competitive games. In gymnastics, athletics and dance they will develop flexibility, strength, balance and control. All children must be able to confidently swim 25m, using a range of strokes, by the end of Key Stage 2.

Modern Foreign languages

The teaching of a modern foreign language is statutory in Key Stage 2. At St Paul’s the children learn French using the online program Culturetheque, supported by the French Government. Each year group is delivered in 6 modules, one per half term. Each module contains 6 carefully planned lessons including Power Points to encourage correct pronunciation; geographical and cultural information and grammar teaching. Each module also contains assessment, songs, rhymes and resource materials.

Today the vast majority children are confident users of information technology. The computer has become a regular part of the class room toolbox and children are confident in using it for research and to publish their work. Although this will remain the focus is now on computing or computer science. Children will be taught the principles of information technology, computing, how digital systems work, programming, creating programs and systems and esafety.

Music

The content of the music curriculum is statutory and is laid down in the national curriculum.

KS1 Music in Key Stage 1 consists of singing chants and rhymes; playing percussion instruments; listening to live and recorded music and creating their own music.

KS2 Musical skills are developed in Key Stage 2 to include playing and performing using voices and instruments; composing; using musical notation; listening to live and recorded music from a range of traditions, composers and musicians and developing an understanding of the history of music.

Please note - School can arrange for children to receive individual instrumental lessons through the School Music Service. Please note however, that this is a private arrangement and there will be a charge for this service.

R.E

Religious Education is a statutory requirement. At St Paul’s we follow the revised syllabus for religious education (RE) for schools in Manchester, Salford, Stockport, Tameside and Trafford. R.E. is important in its own right and also makes a unique contribution to the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils and supports wider community cohesion. Religious education provokes challenging questions about the ultimate meaning and purpose of life, beliefs about God, the self and the nature of reality, issues of right and wrong, and what it means to be human. It can develop pupils’ knowledge and understanding of Christianity and of other world religions and traditions.